Seminar of Ines Tomašek

Abstract:

Human exposure to inhalable ambient particulate matter (PM) is a major societal concern, as it can contribute to the onset or exacerbation of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Geogenic (earth-derived) PM, produced by natural sources such as volcanic eruptions and dust storms, can affect air quality over wide spatial and temporal scales and may represent an important constituent of urban PM. However, compared with PM from anthropogenic sources (e.g., traffic and industry), geogenic PM remains comparatively understudied in terms of exposure levels and associated health impacts.

In this seminar, I will present an overview of my research on the health hazards associated with volcanic emissions. I will demonstrate how a multidisciplinary approach – combining methods from geoscience/volcanology, environmental chemistry, and toxicology – enables a more comprehensive assessment of the health implications of exposure to geogenic PM such as volcanic ash. Specifically, I will focus on: (1) characterisation of particle physicochemical properties, 2) evaluation of particle bioreactivity using in vitro cellular models, and 3) air quality assessment in affected environments.